I doubt modding the iPod is worth the money. I'm wondering why why would would favor FLAC over ALAC--by definition, neither is lossy, so the sound quality should be exactly the same.

My AKG DJ81s are quite good at holding the sound in. As a note, I've not heard a quality difference between using my Creek headphone amp and not using a headphone amp.

I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!